Vaccine thresholds raise the danger of repeating past mistakes

Australia could again fall into the trap of false economies by opening up too soon when vaccine rates hit 70 or 80% and allowing the COVID vaccine to run rampant.

Can we open up with 70% vaccinations?

NSW and the Federal Government are keen to press ahead with reducing restrictions as vaccinations climb, but the much vaunted Doherty Plan may not be the end of the issue.

What is Delta doing to our mental health?

A UNSW expert on post-traumatic stress and anxiety explains why this year’s lockdown is affecting everyone – and especially vulnerable groups – differently.

A cure worse than the disease?

Australia’s state and federal leaders are now pinning their hopes on vaccinations to overcome COVID-19 but stringent lockdowns are still in place across much of the country, leaving some people wondering if the price is worth paying in terms of social impact and personal freedoms.

‘Nudging’ people to get vaccinated

Too much of our discussion about vaccine hesitancy has been imagining the problem in rational terms, but perceptions about COVID-19 and vaccines are driven by emotion, not reason and the more we factor that emotion in, the better our responses will be.

Vaccine passports v mandatory jabs

As the nation proceeds – but still at an agonisingly slow pace – towards the targets of having 70% and 80% of those 16 and over fully vaccinated, the next big debate is about making the jab compulsory in workplaces.

7 ways to fix Sydney’s lockdown

Sydney’s COVID outbreak continues to spread, but targeted measures, alongside lockdowns and vaccinations, could help keep it under control.

Psychology can help tackle COVID non-compliance

Countering misinformation and appealing to self interest are the key to reaching the 10% of people who are reluctant to comply with COVID restrictions.

Critical leadership in difficult times

Truthfulness, acknowledging uncertainty and understanding the workforce are key leadership elements, say senior health leaders.

Building trust when the message keeps changing

Restrictions on Sydney’s hardest hit areas continue to tighten amid signs the State government’s ever evolving messages – from no lockdown to harsh lockdown – are falling on deaf ears. How can our leaders get their message across when that message keeps changing?

Understanding COVID’s arms race against itself

The fast spreading Delta variant of COVID-19 may not be the last threat posed by the fast-mutating disease as it spreads around the world.

In search of herd immunity

Sydney faces another month in lockdown, with the NSW government now placing its faith in vaccinations having lost control of contact tracing. However, given the range of factors involved, it’s difficult to pin down a single magic number for herd immunity against COVID-19 to be achieved.